How to Visit Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake

If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Thailand, it’s Khao Sok National Park. It is a popular destination and perfect for romantic getaways or family holidays. Khao Sok is surrounded by untouched rainforest, towering limestone cliffs, deep valleys, the emerald green waters of Cheow Lan Lake, and wildlife.

For the best experience, we recommend staying in a floating bungalow, joining in exciting activities, and immersing yourself in the wonders of nature.

This ultimate Khao Sok guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, entrance fees, what to expect on your visit, and the best things to do in Khao Sok National Park.

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Is Khao Sok National Park Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Khao Sok is a beautiful national park in southern Thailand and boasts one of the oldest rainforests in the world.

The national park is home to many diverse animals, such as Asian elephants, gibbons, different bird species, reptiles, and insects. It’s the perfect destination for nature lovers, family vacations, and romantic getaways.

Best Time to Visit Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok is a popular destination all year round. The best time to visit Cheow Lan Lake and the national park is during the dry season, from December to April. During this period, the weather is pleasant, and rainfall is minimal.

The hottest months (March to May) are ideal for wildlife watching and photography, as the scorching heat makes animals seek water and easier to spot around the lake. However, the temperature can rise to 35°C and humidity is high.

We visited Khao Sok National Park in mid-April and had fantastic weather.

The rainy (green) season runs from June to October. During this period, you can avoid the crowds and experience the most verdant landscape of Khao Sok. At this time, due to heavy rains, the waterfalls are more intense, but the jungle trails become more slippery and dangerous.

January to March is the best time to see the rare Rafflesia (the world’s largest blooming flower).

How to Get to Khao Sok National Park

The nearest airport to the national park is Surat Thani International Airport (airport code URT). Alternatively, you can fly to Phuket or Krabi. The closest main railway station is also in Surat Thani.

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights.

Most people come to Khao Sok from Krabi, Phuket, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. Depending on where you will be staying in Khao Sok National Park, you will need to get to Khlong Sok Village or Ratchaprapha Dam Pier (Cheow Lan Pier).

The Cheow Lan Pier is the gateway to stunning floating bungalows and boat tours, while the most affordable accommodation is in Khlong Sok (Khao Sok) village.

If you arrive at Chiew Larn Lake Pier by car, you can park in the guarded parking lot at the pier. The parking fee is 80 THB (2.5 USD) per car per night.

Here are all your hotel options in Khao Sok.

From Krabi

You can travel to Khlong Sok village (Khao Sok van station) by minivan or taxi from different places in Krabi, such as the airport, Krabi Town, or Ao Nang. The journey takes approximately 3-5 hours, and a minivan ticket starts from 11 USD.

From Phuket, Khao Lak

You can get to Khao Sok village by minivan, bus, or taxi from Phuket via Khao Lak. Minivans depart from Phuket Airport, Rassada Pier, and from the city. Buses only depart from Phuket Bus Terminal. The journey time is approximately 3-4 hours, depending on traffic. Bus tickets cost 10 USD, while minivan tickets start from 25 USD.

If you are in Khao Lak, it takes about 2 hours by bus or 1 hour by minivan to get to Khao Sok. The bus ticket costs 8 USD.

Get your tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.

From Bangkok

The bus journey from Bangkok to Khao Sok van station takes about 15-16 hours, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can first travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani. There are many direct flights to Surat Thani, but you can also travel by overnight sleeper train, or bus.

Recommended post → How to Get from Bangkok to Surat Thani

From Surat Thani

You can get to Khlong Sok village from Surat Thani by bus, minivan, or taxi. The bus ticket costs 7 USD and takes approximately 2-3 hours to reach the Khao Sok van/bus station.

From Koh Samui

We took the Seatran Ferry from Koh Samui’s Nathon Pier to Donsak Pier, which took 1.5 hours. Then, we traveled by bus to the city center of Surat Thani. The combined ferry + bus tickets start from 10 USD.

We stayed at the 500 Rai Floating Resort, so we went directly to the Chiewlarn Pier. We reached the Ratchaprapha Dam (Cheow Lan Pier) from Surat Thani in about 1.5 hours by minivan, which cost 7 USD. Then we took a long-tail boat to our resort.

Alternatively, you can get from Koh Samui to Khao Sok van station in about 6 hours, and a combined ferry + minivan ticket starts from 18 USD.

How to book your ticket to Khao Sok?

One of the best ways to book tickets is through 12Go. Here, you can compare the prices and travel times of different travel modes and choose the most suitable departure and arrival station/city for your trip. On 12Go, you can easily buy flight, bus, train, or ferry tickets and even book a taxi or a combined shuttle + boat ticket.

Bookaway is another online platform we like to use, similar to 12Go. We usually book hotel and airport transfers here.

How to Get Around Khao Sok National Park

There are two entrances to Khao Sok National Park. The western entrance is the park headquarters in Khlong Sok village, and the eastern entrance is at the Ratchaprapha Dam (Cheow Lan Pier). In the national park, locals travel only by long tail boats. A small boat can carry 10 people, and a big boat can take up to 18 people.

The best way to explore Khao Sok is to join an organized tour. Alternatively, stay in Khlong Sok village, from where you can easily visit the Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary, explore the waterfalls, go jungle trekking or bamboo rafting, and see the Rafflesia flower.

If you rent a scooter, you can drive to the eastern entrance of the national park and take a private boat tour from the pier.

Book a Private Longtail Boat Tour here.

Best Khao Sok Tours

2-Day Cheow Lan Lake Tour from Khao Lak or Phuket: Explore the highlights of Cheow Lan Lake on this 2-day tour, which includes meals and accommodation in a raft house. Enjoy the jungle scenery and take a boat trip at sunset.

Khao Sok Overnight Treehouse Trip from Khao Lak: Spend a memorable night in a treehouse and enjoy authentic time in nature during this overnight trip to Khao Sok National Park, including meals and round-trip transportation from Khao Lak.

Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: Explore the highlights of Khao Sok on a private half-day longtail boat tour of Cheow Lan Lake. Swim in breathtaking emerald waters in the world’s oldest rainforest and visit Diamond Cave.

If you have limited time in Thailand, you can book a day trip from Khao Lak via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Alternatively, you can book a day tour to Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake from Krabi HERE.

Where to Stay in Khao Sok National Park

For the cheapest accommodation, stay in Khlong Sok/Khao Sok village. But for the best experience, stay in a floating bungalow or raft house. We stayed at the 500 Rai Floating Resort for 2 nights and had a fantastic experience.

Best hotels in Khao Sok Village

Mid-Range: Cosy Garden Khao Sok
Budget: Khao Sok Riverside Cottages or Malulee KhaoSok Resort

more hotels in Khao Sok

Khao Sok National Park floating bungalows

Khao Sok National Park Entrance Fee in 2024

The entrance fee to the national park is 300 THB (9 USD) for foreign adults and 150 THB (4.5 USD) for foreign children (3-14 years old). When we visited, we could only pay the entrance fee in cash, so bring enough local money. In addition, the Ratchaprapha Pier (Cheow Lan Pier) fee is 40 THB (1 USD) per person.

The entrance fee for Thai citizens is 40 Baht (1 USD) for adults and 20 Baht (0.6 USD) for children.

Khao Sok National Park is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM all year round.

How many days do you need in Khao Sok National Park?

You can take a day trip to Khao Sok from Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, or Surat Thani. But to get the most out of your experience, stay longer. This is a beautiful destination in Thailand and worth spending at least 2-4 days in a national park.

We spent two nights at the 500 Rai Floating Resort and did many exciting activities, such as hiking to the top of the Tarzan Viewpoint, kayaking, and joining a morning lake sightseeing tour.

Best Things to Do & See in Khao Sok National Park

1. Stay at the 500 Rai Floating Resort

Although there are many different floating accommodations in Khao Sok National Park, the best place to stay is the 500 Rai Floating Resort. You can enjoy the stunning panoramic view from your bed or soak in the lake just a step from your private balcony. Our villa had 24-hour air conditioning, electricity, and hot and cold water. What we liked the most was that each room included a kayak, which provided the perfect way to relax in nature.

The open-air restaurant serves various dishes, including Southern Thai, Western, vegan, and kosher. 500 Rai Floating Resort offers a variety of activities and excursions, such as lake sightseeing, Thai cooking, dessert or drink classes, wildlife safari, trekking and cave exploring.

The long-tail boat ride from Chiewlarn Pier to the resort takes about 1.5 hours. On the way, you can admire the beautiful lake with its emerald green water and the magical limestone cliffs of Khao Sam Kler.

View on booking.com

500 Rai Floating Resort, Khao Sok National Park

2. Explore the Caves

Explore the stunning caves of Khao Sok National Park, each offering a unique experience with diverse natural formations, hidden rivers, and water-filled passages. Diamond Cave (Pra Kie Phet Cave) and Coral Cave (Pakarang Cave) are the most beautiful and unique caves in Cheow Lan Lake.

The inside of the Diamond Cave is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites that sparkle like diamonds when illuminated. Coral Cave is named after the stunning stalactites and stalagmites that resemble underwater coral.

As it is completely dark in the caves, bring a headlamp or flashlight. Inside the cave, you can see bats, spiders, and snakes.

For an unforgettable experience, book a cave tour & exploration at your accommodation.

3. Visit Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary

Join this educational elephant program and learn about their behavior and healthy nutrition. Prepare their food, feed them, and watch them play.

There are two elephants (Maruay and Wassana) in this sanctuary, both over 40 years old. You can walk with the elephants, feed them bananas, take photos, and learn about each elephant, how they got here, their diet, etc.

Book your Elephant Sanctuary visit here.

4. See Khao Sam Kler, Cheow Lan Lake

One of the best things to do in Khao Sok National Park is to take a private longtail boat tour on Cheow Lan Lake. Cheow Lan Lake is an artificial reservoir created in 1987 by the construction of the Ratchaprapha Dam.

Explore the highlights of Khao Sok on a private half-day longtail boat tour of Cheow Lan Lake. Khao Sam Kler consists of three towering limestone peaks, which stand side by side in the middle of the lake and provide breathtaking scenery.

Because of its unique landscape of majestic limestone cliffs, Cheow Lan Lake is often referred to as the ‘Guilin of Thailand’ as it is very similar to Guilin in China.

Visit the Diamond Cave (Pra Kie Phet Cave), where you can spend about 30 minutes exploring this mystical cave filled with coral, stalagmites, and stalactite formations. The last stop is a raft house, where you can relax in this peaceful area for the rest of the time and enjoy a swim in the beautiful emerald water.

Book your Private Longtail Boat Tour.

5. Jungle Trekking & Night Tour

In Khao Sok National Park, you can join jungle trekking, night tours, or bird watching. Guided jungle trekking tours usually cost 1500 THB (44 USD), and night tours 1200 THB (35 USD) for adults, depending on what the tour includes, the duration, and the number of people.

The short 3 km hikes in the park can be done without a guide, but for the longer hiking trails, you will need to hire a guide.

You can save money without a guide. But with an experienced guide, you can discover insects, wildlife, and plants that you would never have noticed otherwise. During the tour, you can see various snakes, frogs, civet cats, birds, and monkeys. You might also see wild elephants, gibbons, Malayan sun bears, clouded leopards, or other rare animals.

Book a private day trek and night safari tour here.

From Khao Sok National Park Headquarters, a 3 km hiking trail takes you to the Rafflesia flower. If you want to see the Rafflesia flower, plan your visit from January to March. You can visit Wing Hin Waterfall and Bang Hua Rat Waterfall without a local guide.

The trekking fee is 200 THB (6 USD) for adults and 100 THB (3 USD) for children (3-14 years old).

6. Hike to the Krai Sorn Viewpoint

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Khao Sok, hike to Krai Sorn (Tarzan) Viewpoint, perched on top of a high limestone mountain. It offers panoramic views of the emerald-green waters of Cheow Lan Lake and its surroundings. We booked the tour at the 500 Rai Floating Resort and did it with a local guide.

The boat ride from the resort took about 20 minutes, and as soon as we arrived on the shore, we started the hike. You’ll hike through dense forest, and at the end, when you reach this magical viewpoint, you’ll have to climb to the top of the limestone rock (520 meters above sea level) using a wire rope.

The tour took us about 1.5-2 hours round trip. The trail was well maintained, and we found the hike easy to moderate difficulty.

Krai Sorn Viewpoint, Khao Sok National Park

Tips for Visiting

Don’t bring unnecessary things with you.
As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
Wear hiking sandals and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid. However, trekking pants and hiking shoes are recommended for trekking in the jungle.
Most floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake do not have Wi-Fi or mobile signal, and some accommodation only has electricity during limited hours.
Khao Sok is not considered a high-risk malaria area, but we always recommend using mosquito repellent.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

What to Pack for Visiting

Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
Swimsuit
Mosquito repellent
Hat and sunglasses
Camera gear
Local money
Binoculars
Trekking shoes & socks
Flashlight or headlamp for caves, night tours
Personal medication

Best Restaurants in Khao Sok

Khao Sok has some good local restaurants serving delicious Thai, seafood, and international dishes.

Pawn’s Restaurant (A popular restaurant in Khao Sok Village)
Chao Italian Ristorante Pizzeria and Thaifood (Delicious pizza)
Khao Sok Bistro & Bar (Local and international dishes)

Most people eat at the hotel or floating bungalow where they are staying.

We hope you found our guide to Khao Sok National Park useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

How to Visit Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake